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Friday, October 19, 2018

Devils Henchmen MC: Celebrating 40 years of Brotherhood

Washdyke, New Zealand (October 19, 2018) BTN — Some might
see them as unorthodox but the Devils Henchmen MC say they're maturing as the
Timaru club revs up to celebrate 40 years. They will mark the milestone this long weekend and say
there's plenty of life left in the club - despite an ageing membership.

The club has gained notoriety over the years - specifically
in the early 90s - when gang tensions intensified in South Canterbury,
capturing national attention. On the eve of their birthday, club members maintain there
have been misconceptions over the years.

"Everyone is getting older and wiser; no one is getting
any younger," club member Bryn Cox said.

The Devils Henchmen are celebrating 40 years over Labour
Weekend. Bryn Cox stands at the gates of the club's Washdyke headquarters.

Founding members of the Devils Henchmen in 1978, from left,
Smiley, Bird, Pogal and Woody

The Devils Henchmen MC during a ride in the 1970's.

Things have changed and he acknowledges periods of violence.

He said the club still can't get past the stigma of past
problems.

Devils Henchmen MC member Bryn Cox stands at the gates of
their Washdyke headquarters.

"We are not gang members, we are motorcycle club
members."

The celebrations kick off on Friday with a ride around South
Canterbury on Saturday, and live entertainment in the evening.

The club is expecting 300 to 400 people from around the
country for the weekend, he said.

Some agencies are "still portraying that we are dirty
bikie scum and drug dealers", he said.

The club's Washdyke headquarters, photographed by John
Bisset in 2004.

Cox has been a member for 19 years and started hanging
around the club in 1981 - aged 19.

"It's my family.

"These are my brothers, their wives and children are my
family too."

At 40, the club is maturing and more savvy, he says. "We are tax paying members of the Timaru public."

The club still has a healthy membership, he said.

While protesters took to the streets of Timaru to drive the
destructive and highly addictive drug methamphetamine out of the district last
month, the Devils Henchmen banned the drug "very early", he said. "We seen what it was doing to other clubs."

Founding member John (Woody) Woodhams says the motorcycle
club scene has changed a lot in the past 40 years. "It's a lot more streamlined and polished now. We used
to sleep on the sides of roads, now it's the motel or camping ground."

Woodhams, 68, said he is one of the lucky ones. "I don't drink, smoke or take drugs."

Woodhams was introduced to motorcycle clubs in 1970 when he
met a member of the Antarctic Angels in Invercargill and rode to Timaru where
there were about five motorcycle clubs.

"It's all about motorcycles at the end of the day.

"A motorcycle club is an organisation. In large the
police would like to see all motorcycle clubs and street gangs gone; it's not
going to happen."

Woodhams acknowledges the club's ageing membership. "Some of us are getting so old now we are drawing a
pension. "We are getting long in the tooth but we are still
quite fit.

"If you can survive all the trouble of when you are
young then you develop more tolerance at the end of the day." Tolerance is a virtue, he said. "Instead of smacking someone in the head you tend to
give them a warning.

"All we can do is try to present a good image but you
are fighting a tide."

Co-founding member Smiley said club membership is about
trust and honesty. "The biggest one is respecting each other. "The whole scene has changed, we haven't changed as
people. "We all stand for camaraderie and respect each
other."

Sergeant Grant Lord, of Timaru, said police are aware of the
anniversary celebrations and had attempted to contact the club. "We have attempted to contact the Devils Henchmen and
they have not responded in relation to what their celebrations entail,"
Lord said.

"It's not unusual for police to maintain contact with
gangs or clubs when they have activities including celebrations and funerals.
The Devils Henchmen have always had an event over Labour Weekend and we have
always policed them."